Plant
Selection
PLANTS
2
A CRITICAL
ST E P I N C R E AT I N G
A S U CC E S S F U L
LANDSCAPE
Selecting plants that fit the moisture and light conditions of a location is
a critical part to a successful landscape. (see Landscape Design, pg 2)
The following lists offer some suggestions for plants that fit various
conditions. These lists are by no means all-inclusive. Homeowners
should consult books, magazine articles, and web sites. County
extension services and master gardeners are also good resources.
The plant materials below are listed by their italicized botanical
names (genus, species and cultivar, if applicable) followed by the
common name. Whenever possible, use the botanical name when
purchasing a plant, as it is the most accurate and will ensure you are
buying the right species.
NATIVE vs. NON-NATIVE SPECIES:
Native plants are defined as plants originating in a particular location,
such as Minnesota or the North Central United States. Non-native
species have been brought into an area and naturalized. The Norway
maple is a good example of a tree that has been naturalized in
Minnesota, yet originated in Europe. Native species may be hardier,
less invasive and less prone to disease and insect problems. However,
there are many non-native species that have become adapted to climate
as well as resistant to pests and diseases, which make good choices.
Native vs non-native species, con’t next page
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Some native plants develop deeper root structures,
allowing for better water infiltration. A deeper root
structure also provides stabilization along lake or
stream banks which help us to improve the quality
KENTUCKY
BLUEGRASS
of our lakes, streams and wetlands. Native prairie
plants often times develop roots that penetrate to
a depth 2-3 times that of the plant’s height.
SWITCHGRASS
A NATIVE PLANT THAT IS 2 FT TALL, LIKELY HAS A ROOT
STRUCTURE AT LEAST 6 FT DEEP. TYPICAL LAWN GRASS HAS
A ROOT STRUCTURE THAT REACHES ONLY 4-6 INCHES.
PRAIRIE
CORDGRASS
CLYINDRIC
BLAZINGSTAR
© 1999 MN DNR
TREES & SHRUBS
Choosing a shrub that physically fits into a location is important. Pay attention to its
mature size as noted on the plant information tag. You may also want to double
check with the nursery staff as sometimes cultural influences such as light, moisture,
soil condition and pruning will have an effect on the mature size a shrub can reach.
Deciduous Trees & Shrubs under 25 feet tall
Acer spicatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mountain Maple
Amelanchier laevis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Allegheny Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Serviceberry (clump form)
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’ . . .Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry
Carpinus caroliniana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue Beech
Chionanthus virginicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .White Fringe Tree
Crataegus crus-galli inermis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn
Cornus sericea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pagoda Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Redosier Dogwood
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ . . . . . . . . . . . .Pee Gee Hydrangea Tree
Prunus americana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild Plum
Syringa reticulata amurensis japonica . . . . . . . . . .Japanese Tree Lilac
Viburnum lentago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nannyberry
Viburnum dentatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum trilobum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .American High Bush Cranberry
Evergreen Trees & Shrubs under 25 feet tall
Juniperus scopularum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rocky Mountain Juniper
Juniperus virginiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eastern Red Cedar
(height can be taller than 25 ft.)
Thuja occidentalis ‘Techny’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Techny Arborvitae
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SHRUBS THREE TO FOUR FEET TALL
Deciduous shrubs for SUNNY & DRY Areas
PLANTS
Amorpha canescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lead Plant
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Ceanothus americanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New Jersey Tea
Diervilla lonicera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’ . . . . . . . . . .Dart’s Gold
(height can be > 3-4 ft)
Prunus pumila . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dwarf Sandcherry
Rosa arkansana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Prairie Rose
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Coralberry
Vaccinium angustifolium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lowbush Blueberry
Note: Requires acidic soil for best results.
Evergreen shrubs for SUNNY & DRY Areas
Juniperus communis depressa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oldfield Common Juniper
Juniperus horizontalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Creeping Juniper
Deciduous shrubs for SUNNY & MOIST Areas
Aronia melanocarpa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black Chokeberry
(height can be > 3-4 ft)
Ilex verticillata cultivars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Winterberry
(height can be > 3-4 ft)
Note: Requires male and female plants for berries
Salix purpurea ‘Nana’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Purpleosier Willow
Symphoricarpos albus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Snowberry
Deciduous shrubs for SHADY & DRY Areas
Amelanchier stolonifera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Running Serviceberry
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ . . . . . . . . . . .Annabelle Hydrangea
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Coralberry
Ribes alpinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alpine Currant
Deciduous shrubs for SHADY & MOIST Areas
Clethra alnifolia cultivars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Summersweet
Dirca palustris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Leatherwood
Ledum groenlandicum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Labrador Tea
Symphoricarpos albus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Snowberry
Evergreen shrubs for SHADY & MOIST Areas
Thuja occidentalis ‘Hertz Midget’ . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hertz Midget
Tsuga canadensis ‘Gracilis’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gracilis Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis ‘Coles Prostrate’ . . . . . . . . . . .Coles Prostrate Hemlock
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GROUND COVERS
Ground covers are plants that spread rapidly and grow close to the soil level. They are
good choices for areas that need erosion control and/or are difficult sites for other types
of plants. Ground covers can also replace turf grass in areas that are difficult to maintain, eliminating the need to mow. It is important to note that some can be very invasive
– a characteristic that may or may not be desirable in a ground cover.
Ground Covers for SHADY Areas
Asarum canadensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild Ginger
Aster macrophyllus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Big Leaf Aster
Cornus canadensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bunch Berry
Note: Needs acid soil
Galium odoratum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweet Woodruff
Hosta species and cultivars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hosta or Plantain Lily
Lamiastrum galeobdolon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lamiastrum
Mitchella repens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Partridgeberry
Note: Needs acid soil
Ground Covers for SUNNY Areas
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bearberry
Note: A broadleaf evergreen; prefers acid soil
Gaultheria procumbens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wintergreen
Note: A broadleaf evergreen; prefers acid soil, grows in partial shade
Sedum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sedum
Waldsteinia fragarioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barren Strawberry
Note: A broadleaf evergreen
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ORNAMENTAL & NATIVE GRASSES
PLANTS
There has been a surge of interest in the use of ornamental and native prairie grasses
in home landscapes and it’s easy to see why. They are easy to care for, have almost no
disease or pest problems, have low nutrient requirements and grow quickly. Grasses
can also add winter interest to landscapes with their persistent seed heads, varied
colors, and textured leaves and stems.
Grasses for SHADY & DRY Areas
Bromus ciliatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fringed Brome
Bromus kalmii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kalm’s Brome
Carex pennsylvanica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex sprengellii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Long Beaked Sedge
Deschampsia caespitosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tufted Hairgrass
Elymus hystrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bottlebrush Grass
Hakonechloa macra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hakonechloagrass
Luzula multiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Woodrush
Luzula parviflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greater Woodrush
Grasses for WATER GARDENS & MOIST Areas
Acorus calamus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweet Flag
Calamagrostis acutiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Feather Reed Grass
Carex crinita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fringed Sedge
Carex comosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bottlebrush Sedge
Carex vulpinoidea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fox Sedge
Hierochloe odorata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweet Grass
Juncus effusus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Soft Rush
Molinea caerulea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Moorgrass
Panicum virgatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Switchgrass
Note: Aggressive
Scirpus cyperinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Woolgrass
Scirpus atrovirens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dark Green Bulrush
Spartina pectinata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cordgrass
Grasses, continued next page
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GRASSES for EROSION CONTROL
(may be invasive)
Calamagrostis canadensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Canada Bluejoint Grass
Hierochloe odorata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweet Grass
Panicum virgatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Switchgrass
Note: Aggressive
Spartina pectinata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cordgrass
Note: Performs best in moist soils in full sun; invasive especially in sandy soils.
Grasses for SUNNY & DRY Areas
(Also excellent choices for erosion control)
Andropogon gerardii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Big Blue Stem
Bouteloua curtipendula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua gracilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue Grama
Koeleria brevis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue Hairgrass
Koeleria macrantha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Junegrass
Schizachyrium scoparium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Little Blue Stem Grass
Sorghastrum nutans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indiangrass
Sporobolus heterolepis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Prairie Dropseed Grass
Grasses for SHADY & MOIST Areas
(Also excellent choices for erosion control)
Bromus ciliatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fringed Brome
Carex stipata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Awl Fruited Sedge
Carex comosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bottlebrush Sedge
Elymus hystrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bottlebrush Grass
Glyceria striata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fowl Manna Grass
Juncus effusus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Soft Rush
Deschampsia caespitosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tufted Hairgrass
Luzula parviflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greater Woodrush
Schizachyrium scoparium
Little Blue Stem Grass
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NATIVE WILDFLOWERS
Planting tough, vigorous perennial wildflowers can make for an attractive, fairly
PLANTS
low-maintenance garden. They add color and attract birds and butterflies.
2
Wildflowers for SHADY & DRY Areas
Anemone cylindrica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thimbleweed
Aster macrophyllum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Big Leaf Aster
Astragalus canadense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Canada Milk Vetch
Campanula rotundifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harebells
Galium boreale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Northern Bedstraw
Geranium maculatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild Geranium
Helianthus strumosus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Woodland Sunflower
Heuchera richardsonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alum Root
Polemonium reptans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jacob’s Ladder
Thalictrum dioicum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Early Meadow Rue
Wildflowers for WATER GARDENS & MOIST Areas
Anemone canadensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Canada Anemone
Asclepias incarnata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Swamp Milkweed
Aster umbellatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Flat-Topped Aster
Caltha palustris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marsh Marigold
Chelone glabra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Turtlehead
Eupatorium maculatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joe Pye
Helenium autumnale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sneezeweed
Liatris pycnostachya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Prairie Blazingstar
Mimulus ringens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monkeyflower
Pycnanthemum virginianum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Virginia Mountain Mint
Wildflowers, continued next page
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Wildflowers for SUNNY & DRY Areas
Agastache foeniculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anise Hyssop
Asclepias tuberosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Butterflyweed
Dalea purpurea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Purple Prairie Clover
Echinacea angustifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Narrow-Leaf Coneflower
Lupinus perennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild Lupine
Penstemon grandiflorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Large Flowered Beardtongue
Ratibida pinnata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yellow Coneflower
Rudbeckia hirta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black Eyed Susan
Solidago rigida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stiff Goldenrod
Tradescantia bracteata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spiderwort
Wildflowers for SHADY & MOIST Areas
Adiantum pedatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Maidenhair Fern
Aquilegia canadensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild Columbine
Arisaema triphyllum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Aster umbellatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Flat-Topped Aster
Caltha palustris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marsh Marigold
Lobelia cardinalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cardinal Flower
Lobelia silphilitica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Great Blue Lobelia
Matteuccia struthiopteris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ostrich Fern
Osmunda spp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ferns
Solidago flexicaulis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Zig Zag Goldenrod
Rudbeckia hirta
Black Eyed Susan
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO VIEW PLANT PHOTOS:
– Visit the University of Minnesota Extension Service’s Sustainable Urban Landscape
Information Series at www.sustland.umn.edu
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